The R.O.C.K. Club Wants You to Experience a Different Kind of Christmas
In 1905, author William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name, O. Henry, wrote the story, “The Gift of the Magi.” In it, a poor couple struggles to find the perfect Christmas gift for each other. In doing so, they each give up what is dearest to themselves. The story shows, however, that what truly was dearest to them was not their treasured material items; it was each other. This lesson, sadly, gets lost many times in our culture as the Christmas season approaches. We collectively long for the gifts, when what is really important is the spirit of giving. People are so focused on buying the latest gadgets they miss the big picture of love and caring. Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we want you to experience a different kind of holiday this year. Don’t miss the blessing from embracing the spirit of giving.
Understanding the Gift of the Magi
Henry took the title of his story from the Biblical account of the wise men. These wise men visited Jesus when He was a child. They brought three gifts of great value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They realized that the value of these material possessions was nothing compared to the value of who received them. Their gifts gave rise to our tradition of giving presents at Christmas. But lately, the value of the gifts has become more important than the relationship of the giver and recipient. Shoppers rudely scramble through stores, trying to beat our neighbor to the “must-have” present of the year. Gift recipients tear at the wrapping on Christmas morning like a hungry bear. We barely mutter a “thank you,” if we say it all. How many blessings and moments of joy do we miss because we have lost the spirit of giving? We’ve forgotten the love and heartfelt care that comes with it.
God Gave the Greatest Gift of All
The ultimate example of the spirit of giving comes from God Himself. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. Our wrongdoing separates us from God, and there is nothing that we can ever do ourselves to mend that relationship. But God values you so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son so that you can have eternal life. In the Bible, Romans 8:32 reads, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Later in the Bible, 1 John 4:10 reads, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Through Jesus, God now offers eternal life as a gift. Will you receive it this Christmas?
The Gift of the Magi is the Spirit of Giving
This Christmas season, don’t miss it. The value of the gifts, no matter the cost, is far less than the value of the giving. If we would just embrace that truth, our holiday season would be so much sweeter. People hustle, bustle, and stress our way through Christmas. What would happen if, this holiday season, we embrace the spirit of giving instead of embracing the gifts? Not only that, but what would happen if we taught it to the next generation? The gift of the magi is the spirit of giving. What do you value?Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we offer outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you more about how you can have a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. This holiday season, will you learn the spirit of giving from the gift of the magi?
